PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) at Birat Health College

The PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) at Birat Health College in Biratnagar-4, Morang, is a three-year CTEVT health science program conducted under the yearly system. The third revision of the curriculum was completed in 2024. Study covers medicine, surgery, basic medical procedures, primary and family health, environmental health, epidemiology, health management, and clinical and community practice. The program is structured to prepare middle-level technical personnel for responsibilities related to general medicine and primary health care.

Quick Highlights

Course Focus

The curriculum combines academic study with clinical and community-based training. Its academic areas prepare students to work with patient assessment, provisional diagnosis, referral, medication and treatment, common health problems, basic investigations, first aid, maternal and child health, family planning, health programs, medical records, and health administration within the level defined by the curriculum.

This mix of clinical and public health content gives the course a broader structure than classroom-based medical science alone. Community diagnosis, family health, health education, environmental health, epidemiology, and health management are studied alongside medicine and surgery.

Eligibility and Admission

Eligibility: The curriculum provides entry through SLC/SEE or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and the prescribed grading in compulsory Mathematics, English, and Science. It also includes an entry route for CMA-equivalent candidates with a minimum of 68.33%.

Applicants must pass the entrance examination administered by CTEVT for admission to the program.

Three-Year Academic Structure

The PCL in General Medicine follows a three-year yearly system. The curriculum progresses from academic preparation into discipline-specific study, clinical work, and community practice.

Second Year

Major second-year areas include:

• Medicine I and Gynecology

• Surgery I

• Basic Medical Procedures and First Aid

• Clinical Pathology

• Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacy

• Environmental Health

• Health Education

• Primary Health Care and Family Health

The year combines theory with practical work in subjects where clinical, laboratory, or community application is required.

Third Year

Third-year study includes:

• Medicine II, including Pediatrics, Neonatology, Psychiatry, and Dermatology

• Surgery II, including ENT, Dentistry, and Ophthalmology

• Health Management

• Epidemiology and Community Diagnosis

• Comprehensive Clinical Practicum

• Comprehensive Community Field Practicum

These subjects place greater emphasis on applying previous learning in clinical and community settings.

Clinical and Community Practice

Clinical training is a substantial part of the final stage of the program. The third-year Comprehensive Clinical Practicum runs for 16 weeks, covering areas such as emergency care, medicine, surgery, clinical pathology observation, pharmacy and pharmacology, maternity care, family health, basic medical procedures, and physiotherapy.

Community-based work includes epidemiology and community diagnosis activities. Students work with community assessment, home visits, health-related data, and community diagnosis exercises as part of the practical curriculum.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, group discussion, demonstrations, simulation, guided practice, practical experience, fieldwork, report writing, case analysis, project work, and hospital or community practice.

Assessment includes internal evaluation and final examinations in theory and practical components. Students must pass the required theory and practical components for certification. The curriculum sets minimum pass marks of 40% in theory and 50% in practical, together with the applicable internal and yearly final assessment requirements.

Learning Support at Birat Health College

For practical health education, Birat Health College has laboratory facilities and a library with books, journals, research materials, and digital library management. Internet access is available on campus.

The college also provides tutorial classes and transportation for clinical postings, community health activities, and field practice. These services support the classroom, practical, and field-based components required in health science programs.

Professional Preparation

The curriculum is designed around middle-level technical responsibilities in General Medicine. Its training areas include patient assessment, referral, first aid, basic medical and surgical procedures, maternal and child health, family planning, community health programs, health administration, and medical record management.

The combination of clinical practicum and community field practice means students complete the program with exposure to both health-institution and community-based work. Professional opportunities depend on qualification requirements, applicable regulatory provisions, recruitment conditions, and individual experience.

FAQ

What is the duration of the HA course at Birat Health College?

The PCL in General Medicine is a three-year program conducted under the yearly system.

Which academic body governs the HA program?

The PCL in General Medicine curriculum is under the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT).

Is an entrance examination required for PCL in General Medicine?

Yes. Admission requires passing the entrance examination administered by CTEVT.

What subjects are studied in the HA course?

The curriculum covers medicine, surgery, gynecology, basic medical procedures, first aid, clinical pathology, pharmacology and pharmacy, environmental health, health education, primary and family health, epidemiology, community diagnosis, and health management.

Does the program include clinical practice?

Yes. The third year includes a 16-week Comprehensive Clinical Practicum along with community field practice.

What are the minimum pass marks?

The curriculum requires a minimum of 40% in theory and 50% in practical, along with the required internal and yearly final assessment marks.